STEM Grads' Pay Likely to Be Highest Among Class of 2017

A new survey finds 2017 graduates with bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering and math are expected to receive the highest average starting salaries of all 2017 graduates.

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Employers expect Class of 2017 graduates with bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) will earn the highest average starting salaries of 2017 graduates, according to a survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

The survey's forecast average starting salary for engineering majors is $66,097 annually--a nearly 2% rise from last year--while computer science and math and science majors should earn about 7 % to 7.8% more than graduates in those disciplines did last year.

Class of 2017 computer science master's degree graduates hold the top spot in the survey with a projected average starting salary of $81,039, representing a more than 12-percent increase from the Class of 2016. Each of the individual majors within the computer science discipline, including computer science, information sciences and systems, and software applications are showing significant boosts, with average starting salary projections approaching $80,000 annually.